The NFL Playoffs are back in 2026 with a full lineup of exciting matchups. Fans across the country are getting ready for the biggest weeks in football. This year’s playoff format sticks to the 14-team setup. Seven teams from each conference will compete for a spot in Super Bowl LX.
This guide gives you everything you need to know. You’ll find key playoff dates, the full schedule by round, the current playoff bracket, and how the format works. We also cover projected matchups and which teams are expected to stand out this year.
Stay updated with the latest playoff picture as the road to Santa Clara begins.
Key Dates for the 2026 NFL Playoffs
The NFL regular season ends on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Right after that, the playoff race begins. Here are the important dates:
- Wild Card Weekend: Takes place from January 10 to January 12, 2026. It covers three days—Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
- Divisional Round: Set for January 17 and 18, 2026. Four teams in each conference will remain by this stage.
- Conference Championship Games: Both the AFC and NFC title games are scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- Super Bowl LX: The Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Each round is packed with action and sets the stage for the next. The road to the Super Bowl moves fast. Fans and teams must stay ready.
Full 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule
Each round includes set time slots. The official matchups will be updated after the regular season ends. Here’s how the schedule looks:
| DATE | ROUND | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 10 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sat, Jan 10 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:00 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 1:00 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | NBC / Peacock |
| Mon, Jan 12 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| Sat, Jan 17 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | TBA |
| Sat, Jan 17 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 3:00 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 6:30 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 25 | AFC Championship | AFC Team at AFC Team | 3:00 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| Sun, Jan 25 | NFC Championship | NFC Team at NFC Team | 6:30 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Feb 8 | Super Bowl LX | AFC Champ vs NFC Champ | 6:30 PM | NBC / Peacock |
2026 NFL Playoff Bracket
The NFL Playoffs follow a single-elimination format. Fourteen teams qualify—seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC. Each conference sends four division winners and three wild card teams.
The No. 1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye. The rest of the teams face off in the Wild Card round. Winners advance to the Divisional Round. From there, the top teams battle in the Conference Championships. The two winners move on to the Super Bowl.
AFC Playoff Bracket
| Seed | Team | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC #1 (Bye) | Divisional |
| 2 | AFC #2 vs #7 | Wild Card |
| 3 | AFC #3 vs #6 | Wild Card |
| 4 | AFC #4 vs #5 | Wild Card |
NFC Playoff Bracket
| Seed | Team | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NFC #1 (Bye) | Divisional |
| 2 | NFC #2 vs #7 | Wild Card |
| 3 | NFC #3 vs #6 | Wild Card |
| 4 | NFC #4 vs #5 | Wild Card |
After the Wild Card games, the highest seed plays the lowest remaining seed. The winners move forward until one team from each conference reaches Super Bowl LX.
Current NFL Playoff Picture
As the regular season moves toward its final stretch, analysts and AI models are already predicting which teams could reach the playoffs. The race is close in both conferences, with a mix of veteran squads and rising teams in the hunt.
Projected AFC Seeds
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo Bills |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 3 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 4 | Houston Texans |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 6 | Denver Broncos |
| 7 | LA Chargers |
Projected NFC Seeds
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Bears |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 3 | LA Rams |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 5 | Detroit Lions |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers |
| 7 | Washington Commanders |
These predictions are based on recent performance, roster strength, and expected matchups. The Bills and Bears are currently projected as the top seeds. Both teams would earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs.
The final picture could still change, especially with injuries and key matchups in the last few weeks of the season. Fans should keep an eye on the standings each week.
NFL Playoff Format & Bracket Rules
The NFL playoff format is simple but competitive. Each conference, AFC and NFC, sends seven teams. That includes four division winners and three wild card teams.
How Seeding Works
- Teams are ranked 1 through 7 based on their regular season records.
- Division winners take the top four seeds.
- The next three best records get wild card spots (seeds 5 to 7).
- Tiebreakers include head-to-head record, conference record, and strength of victory.
First-Round Bye
Only the No. 1 seed in each conference gets a bye in the Wild Card round. This team also gets home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
Matchups by Round
- Wild Card Round:
- Seed 2 vs Seed 7
- Seed 3 vs Seed 6
- Seed 4 vs Seed 5
- Divisional Round:
- The No. 1 seed plays the lowest remaining seed
- Other two winners face each other
- Conference Championships:
- Winners of the Divisional Round meet for the AFC and NFC titles
- Super Bowl:
- The two conference champions face off in the final
Each game is single elimination. One loss ends the team’s season. That’s what makes every snap, every drive, and every decision so important during the postseason.
NFL Playoffs 2026: All You Need to Know
How many playoff games are there in total?
There are 13 playoff games in total. It starts with 6 games in the Wild Card round, then 4 games in the Divisional round, followed by 2 Conference Championship games, and ends with 1 Super Bowl.
Can two teams from the same division play in the Super Bowl?
No. Teams from the same division can meet in the Conference Championship, but the Super Bowl always features one team from the AFC and one from the NFC.
Do teams get reseeded after each round?
Yes. In each conference, the highest seed always plays the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional Round. This helps the top seed maintain its advantage.
Can I stream the NFL Playoffs online?
Yes. Playoff games are available through Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN+, and NFL+ (for mobile). Major streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV also carry the games.
What happens if a playoff game ends in a tie?
Playoff games use overtime rules. Each team must get a chance to possess the ball unless a touchdown is scored on the first drive. Overtime continues until a winner is decided.
Where can I download a printable NFL playoff bracket?
You can get a printable bracket from the NFL Playoff Pass website once the matchups are confirmed. It also offers blank or filled-in PDF brackets.